American Journalist James Foley Beheaded by ISIS

James Foley – a freelance war correspondent from New Hampshire – was allegedly beheaded by the Islamic State militant group ISIS. The terror group later distributed a video that said the killing was in retaliation for recent US airstrikes in Iraq.

In the video, a man who appears to be Foley is seen kneeling in a barren landscape. Behind him stands a masked member of the Islamic State group, clad in black and wielding a knife. It is not clear when the video was made or exactly where it was taken.

Under duress and speaking in a monotone voice, James Foley says that his death comes in retaliation for the recent airstrikes in areas occupied by ISIS forces. Over the summer, President Barack Obama ordered the bombings against Islamic militants who had occupied parts of Iraq.

In the video, Foley also directly addresses his brother, John – a member of the U.S. Air Force – and urges him to consider the ramifications of the bombing campaign.

Speaking in accented and near perfect English, the militant fighter standing over him then states that the airstrikes are denying the rights of Iraqi Muslims to live under an Islamic caliphate. The militant concludes by stating that the life of another U.S. journalist, Steven Sotloff, hangs in the balance.

ISIS has carried out executions, including beheadings, as part of its effort to establish an Islamic caliphate that stretches from Syria into Iraq. In many cases, ISIS — which refers to itself as the Islamic State — has videotaped the executions and posted them online.

“James gave his life trying to expose the world to the suffering of the Syrian people. My heart goes out to the Foley family,” former Plantation Councilman and BREC Chairman and Executive Director Rico Petrocelli told Examiner. “It’s disappointing that the Obama administration has all but ignored this senseless execution. While Americans are being killed in Iraq, President Obama is yet on another vacation.”